Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414755 Inspection date 13/07/2011 Inspector Sonjia Nicholson

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her partner and young child in a house in the Cressex area of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. Her home has easy access to the M40/4 motorways and is situated close to a bus route. Children have use of all rooms on the ground floor including the toilet, kitchen and lounge/diner. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years; two of whom may be in the early years age range. She is also registered to provide overnight care for two children under eight years. There are currently three children on roll, all of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time in this loving environment where the childminder knows them well and is able to meet their individual needs. The childminder has made several changes since registration, such as, developing her knowledge of observation and assessment and adding new outdoor equipment. Although she has some plans for the future including attending training to add to her skills and knowledge, she has yet to fully evaluated her service in order to make systematic changes that will bring about future improvements.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop a system of self-evaluation in order to bring about future improvements  develop an assessment record for each child, share them on a regular basis with parents and encourage them to contribute their own observations from home.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children and has all the necessary documentation to refer to if she has concerns. She maintains a safe environment as she has conducted a thorough risk assessment of her home and garden. This highlights the action taken, such as, removing ivy from the garden. The childminder has devised an evacuation drill but due to the young age of the children cared for she has not yet practised this. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have access to a good range of high quality toys that are stored with easy access in mind. They select from the labelled boxes on low-level units and babies can reach out and grasp a selection of toys set out by the childminder on the floor. The childminder has developed the garden to make it more child-friendly and has added equipment, such as, a slide and push along car so children have fun as they

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the early years provision

Parents have access to a portfolio of information which is developing as the childminder's business evolves. They receive verbal feedback on collection so they are aware of the care offered to their child and the progress made. Parents have expressed their satisfaction at the childminder's service through written references. They state she is professional in her dealings with them, has a straightforward and down to earth approach and creates a happy environment for children. Parents feel the childminder is empathetic to children's needs and has their best interests at heart. They like the range of activities she offers and the fact she takes children to toddler groups. Parents feel her observations of children are of great interest and that she takes great delight in their achievements. There are currently no children attending other settings but the childminder describes how she would establish partnerships to share information so children receive a coherent learning

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the early years provision

experience in the future. She values the service provided by the local Children's Centre and often attends messy play sessions there.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises children as individuals; she knows them well and adapts the environment and activities accordingly, for example, she creates clear floor space for a baby to use the walker to aid his physical development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and has all the necessary documentation in place to support her childminding and a good understanding of the legal requirements; she is particularly aware of the events that need to be reported to Ofsted. The childminder is motivated to seek further improvements but has yet to develop a system to help her focus on specific areas.

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and outcomes for children

Children are safe and secure in the childminder's care. They relate well to her calm, kind manner and enjoy the many cuddles she offers, smiling frequently in return. Children enjoy a variety of nutritious food provided by the childminder, for example, at lunchtime they eat a bowl of finger food consisting of tuna, grated carrot and cheese with red pepper and crackers. Mealtimes are sociable events where children sit together in highchairs or at the table. The childminder records children's food intake in their daily diaries so parents are aware of what they have eaten and also keeps a record of the '5 a day' portions of fruit and vegetables she offers as recommended by the government to promote a healthy lifestyle. Children stay healthy within the childminder's home as she follows some good practices to prevent germs spreading, such as, when changing nappies and drying hands. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills as they play in the

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's garden on equipment, such as, a small slide. They also visit playgrounds and soft play centres where they explore larger apparatus to increase their coordination and control. Babies who are learning to walk are given every encouragement from the childminder who ensures there is clear floor space for them to shuffle along, before they progress to standing and walking around the furniture. She takes great delight in their achievements, for example, describing her excitement when a baby took a few tentative steps with her support. Children make a positive contribution to the setting as they behave well. They play cooperatively and the childminder encourages positive relationships between the minded children and her own daughter, for example she helps them learn how to share toys.

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and outcomes for children

Starting points for most children's learning are known by the childminder as she offers a four week settling-in period in which she is able to observe them and talk to parents about what they can do. Using this information she plans a suitable environment and a wide range of activities that help children make progress, including lots of outings to extend many areas of their learning. She continues to make worthwhile observations which she adds to a lovely 'learning journey' along with lots of photographs but as yet she has not developed these for all children, shared them with parents so they can see the progress made or asked them to contribute their own observations from home. Babies receive good care from the childminder who is very aware of their individual needs and routines, for example, when they are tired she puts them down for a nap and if unsettled she is patient and provides lots of cuddles and reassurance to soothe them. As a result, children

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and outcomes for children

are happy and content in her care. Children are developing skills for the future as they explore their environment, for example, a child plays with a musical teapot and begins to understand 'cause and effect' as he pushes the button which makes the music play. They are learning to solve problems as they complete simple inset jigsaw puzzles and are becoming independent as they feed themselves with a spoon at mealtimes. The childminder interacts well in all aspects of children's play. She actively promotes their language development by constantly talking to them, asking questions to make them think and commenting about what is going on. For example, when playing with the small world play people and village the childminder says, 'Let's make the fence so we can put the animals inside' then names the animals before asking them to repeat her to increase their vocabulary. Children love dressing-up and expressing themselves through imaginative role play

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and outcomes for children

with play food and a tea trolley. Even the youngest of children enjoys looking at books, turning the pages and making marks with crayons on paper. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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